Flu Vaccine Linked to Narcolepsy

A recently published study found the flu vaccination related to a much higher risk of developing narcolepsy, a lifelong disorder in which people fall asleep involuntarily and experience spells of muscle weakness. Flu shot injuries have long had a central and peripheral nervous system component, such as developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome from an adverse reaction to the flu shot.

New research has now revealed the link between the flu shot and narcolepsy: part of a surface protein on the virus looks very similar to part of a brain protein that helps keep people awake. When a person's immune system learns to recognize and fight the virus, it mistakes the brain protein for an invader, too. This mechanism of injury is suspected to be the way most flu shot injuries occur.

"As a vaccine injury attorney, this is a very important finding,” said Andrew Downing. "For one of the first times, we have a published study showing a clear environmental factor like a vaccination leading to an autoimmune process.” In the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, this level of scientific proof is needed in some cases in order for the injured individual to prevail. If you feel as though you have suffered a vaccine injury from the flu shot, call us to discuss your claim today.